Bing Slamet

Ahmad Syech Albar 27 September 1927 – 17 December 1974 Better Known By His Stage Name Bing Slamet Was An Indonesian Singer Songwriter Comedian And Actor. During His Career He Acted In 17 Films And Released "dozens" Of Albums. Shortly Before His Death He Received A Lifetime Achievement Award From The Governor Of Jakarta. Three Of His Songs Were Chosen By Rolling Stone Indonesia As Some Of The Best Indonesian Songs Of All Time. As A Child He Was Known As A Class Clown Often Joking And Winking. Although His Father Wanted Him To Be A Doctor Or An Engineer Albar Decided To Be An Entertainer. At The Age Of Twelve He Began Singing In The Terang Boelan Orchestra In 1939. In 1944 He Joined The Pantja Warna Stage Group And Travelled Through Yogyakarta Malang And Surabaya. Albar Took The Name Bing Slamet In 1948 As A Tribute To Bing Crosby Whom He Respected Bing Was A Reference To Crosby And Slamet Was His Own Nickname. Aside From Singing He Also Began To Participate In Comedy Forming The "Los Gilos" Comic Group Together With Tjepot And Udel. On 29 July 1953 He Won A Comedy Competition In The Jakarta Art Building Which Gave Him The Nickname "Bintang Pelawak" "Star Of Comedians" And Two Years Later He Was Chosen As The Best Radio Entertainer By The Radio Republik Indonesia Branch In Jakarta. 2 He Eventually Came On Friendly Terms With Then-President Sukarno. read less